It’s a New Year So Make These Home Improvement Resolutions
Jan 3rd 2018
As you pack away your holiday home decor, you might notice that your house is in need of some attention in the new year. Everyone wants to commit to taking better care of your home but the hectic nature of life sometimes gets in the way. Fortunately, these home improvement resolutions for the new year will help you organize, clean, maintain, save, and beautify your house in 2018 and beyond.
Prioritize Safety
The most important home improvement resolutions should prioritize safety above all else. The new year is the perfect time to go through your home to test and update the various systems in place to keep you and your loved ones safe.
- Purchase kits to test your home for radon (available at any hardware store).
- Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home where there are bedrooms.
- The U.S Fire Administration has found that 15,000 building fires per year take place due to dryer lint. Clean the vents and ducts behind your dryer to get rid of extremely flammable lint buildup
- Check that all vents, including bathroom and attic ones, are vented to the outside of your home to combat mold issues.
- If your home was built or remodeled before 1978, test for lead paint and asbestos flooring.
Create a Project Checklist
Pretend you are a home inspector and critically go through your home making a list of items that need to be repaired, replaced, or updated. Then make a schedule for completing these projects, so you commit to getting the work accomplished.
If you notice that many of your projects require a little extra know-how, learn to DIY minor problems using videos available on sites such as Instructables, How Stuff Works, or Do It Yourself.
Declutter and Organize
Especially after the holidays, your home probably seems more cluttered than it did six weeks ago. A one-room clutter bust takes an hour or less and quickly eliminates unnecessary items you’ve collected.
Also, reinstitute organization systems you’ve already put into place, such as those from the beginning of the school year. Or start from scratch and create new organization methods for your home.
Go Green
There are simple changes you can make to your everyday routine that will shrink your carbon footprint while also decreasing your overall household costs.
- Reuse common household goods.
- Seal and insulate ductwork to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.
- Only use low- or no-VOC non-toxic paints for any home projects.
- Invest in a tankless water heater.
- Turn off electronics when you leave a room.
- Power off your air conditioner whenever you leave your home.
- Consider solar tiles to generate energy.
- Program your thermostat to 55 ℉ at night when the weather is cold.
- Only run dishwashers and washing machines when you have full loads.
- Opt for LED bulbs.
- Install low-flow showerheads and toilets.
- Try composting.
Make a Maintenance Schedule
Whether it’s a paper or digital one, keep a calendar that reminds you of important maintenance tasks throughout the year such as:
- Replacing furnace air filters,
- Changing batteries in smoke detectors,
- Cleaning your central air conditioner, and
- Winterizing your sprinklers.
Prepare for an Emergency
Emergency preparedness is a task we undertake in the hope that we never have to use it but are grateful to have a kit ready to go if the time should come. Your emergency preparedness should include:
- Essential documents including the deed to your house, proof of insurance, medical records, passwords, social security cards, and a list of personal contacts.
- Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days (double if you live in a particularly hot climate). Also factor in your pets’ water needs as well.
- Food - At least three days worth of non-perishables and a manual can opener. Stock up on foods high in protein, fruits, and vegetables like protein bars, trail mix, and dried fruit.
- Flashlights and extra batteries (candles are not recommended because they could accidentally cause a fire)
- Battery-operated radio
- First aid supplies
- Sanitation and hygiene supplies
- Comfort items for children and pets
- Plastic sheeting, duct tape, and dust masks
- Cash
- A whistle
Commit to Home Improvement
Making time for projects, such as installing rolling barn doors (currently on sale for 25 percent off through the end of the month with promo code NEWYEAR25), is always a worthwhile new year’s resolution. As the year progresses and you regularly care for your home, you’ll find life easier because your living space is properly maintained. Make a new year home resolution or two today and see the results before you know it.